Post-contract, there are two main stages: a structural edit that deals with significant changes to story and characters and such; and a copy edit or line edit that deals with small intra-paragraph problems of expression, clarity, etc. Last of all comes the proof-reading, to correct typos and any errors that have crept through the copy edit—but this is not a time to be having second thoughts about what you want to say or how you want to say it!

You normally work with an editor who is not your publisher, or two editors for the two stages. Your editor(s) may be in house or out of house. Copy editing especially is often outsourced.

Publishing houses have their own house styles, and you have to respect that. Don’t be stubborn about your own way of doing things unless it makes a real difference for this book as against any other book.